Ready to celebrate America's 236th birthday with music and a host of family and kids-friendly inflatables and other activities at Saturday's FreedomFest are, from left, event organizer and Morrow Business & Tourism Association Executive Director Mike Twomey, seven-year-old Clayton County Cub Scout Ashton Turner, son of David and Amy Turner, Clayton Cub Scout Damien Austin, 8, son of Lenard and Ketra Austin and Aston's 10-year-old brother, who is also a Clayton Scout, Austin Turner.

With Saturday’s 26th Annual FreedomFest community festival now back at its regularly-scheduled date of the Saturday before July 4, organizer Mike Twomey anticipates a larger crowd, weather permitting, than last year.

FreedomFest will initiate a host of Independence Day-related activities in Clayton County. Following FreedomFest will be the only public observance of America’s birthday in Clayton County on July 4 as the Jonesboro Masonic Lodge will present its traditional July 4 Parade beginning at noon on Main Street in Jonesboro.

Following the parade, the Masonic Lodge will continue another tradition of its America’s celebration theme as it will serve barbecue at the lodge.

Clayton’s Independence Day activities continue July 7 when Clayton County International Park, The Beach will presents its popular Independence Day list of activities.

The park will be open from 10 a.m. through 8 p.m. with a host of special events and a special admission price of $10 per person.

In addition to recorded music on the beach, a special live musical presentation by “Felicia” will also be a part of the festivities.

The day will conclude with fireworks over The Beach.

Although FreedomFest was held much earlier in June last year, Twomey said the long-standing popularity of this free festival, formally known as SummerFest before it was changed to FreedomFest a couple of years ago, still saw more than 3,000 attend as it continues as the largest festival in the county.

“We like to think of it as a communitywide, backyard picnic and get-together,” Twomey said of the event, held on eight acres at 5917 Reynolds Road in Morrow, across from Rock Springs Baptist Church.

“It is where people can come down, bring their picnic baskets and meet, or meet again, in a natural setting while being able to watch their kids have a great time in our play area, stocked with numerous inflatable’s, arts and crafts and other “kids-friendly” attractions.

Although not officially scheduled to begin until 5 p.m., FreedomFest will open its program at 4 p.m. with a car show, complete with numerous, completely rebuilt and customized historic cars.

Customized car enthusiasts who are interested in displaying their automobiles as part of the display are asked to contact Sam Warez at (678) 410-2709.

FreedomFest has always been known for its live entertainment and this year is no different.

According to Twomey, the group, “Soulful Purpose” will present an agenda of music presentations when the musical entertainment portion of FreedomFest kicks-off at 7 p.m.

“They do all types of music, from rhythm and blues and classic rock to gospel and country and western,” Twomey said. “They are great to listen to and those attending will find it difficult not to tap their feet and maybe sing along with their favorites.”

Of course, perhaps the most anticipated element of FreedomFest, its massive fireworks display over the site, begins at dark.

“What better way to conclude a celebration of our freedoms with some outstanding fireworks,” he said. “We are hoping for good weather because there is no place at the site of FreedomFest which would not be a great place to view this fireworks display.”

Twomey is encouraging families to bring their picnic baskets and blankets and “celebrate our nation’s independence in a beautiful, natural setting,” he said.

For more information on FreedomFest, call the Morrow Business & Tourism Association at (678) 422-7446.

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